Grand Chess Tour Showdown Begins with Sparks Between Carlsen and Gukesh

The Grand Chess Tour 2025 kicked off in Zagreb, Croatia, and it didn’t take long for the heat to rise. Former world champion Magnus Carlsen made headlines even before the first move by calling teenage world champion D. Gukesh “one of the presumably weaker players” in the tournament. The Norwegian’s comment came during a pre-tournament interview, where he questioned Gukesh’s abilities in faster formats like rapid and blitz.

“Gukesh hasn’t done anything to indicate that he’s going to do well in such a tournament,” Carlsen said, referring to the 18-year-old Indian chess prodigy’s past performances in rapid-blitz formats. He also added that players like Alireza Firouzja and Fabiano Caruana were his picks to dominate the tournament.

Gukesh Responds on the Board at Grand Chess Tour

Despite the comments, Gukesh had a sharp response ready on the board. On the opening day, he scored two impressive wins, one of them against Alireza Firouzja, who Carlsen had named as a top contender. He also defeated fellow Indian prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa, finishing the day as a joint leader alongside Carlsen himself.

This wasn’t the first time tension flared between Carlsen and Gukesh. Their last encounter at Norway Chess 2025 ended with Carlsen visibly frustrated, slamming the table after losing a winning position to Gukesh. The viral moment left fans eagerly anticipating their next showdown, which is now set to happen thrice during this Grand Chess Tour leg—once in rapid and twice in blitz between July 3 and 6.

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Carlsen Still Confident as Grand Chess Tour Continues

Carlsen, who returned to competitive chess after a personal break, seemed unfazed by the media attention around his comments. “If I’m in good shape, it will take something special to beat me,” he confidently declared, brushing aside Gukesh’s earlier classical win as a one-off.

His remarks have only amplified the excitement around the Grand Chess Tour’s Croatia leg. Carlsen also joked about checking table strength after the previous incident where he smashed his fist post-defeat, saying this time, “I plan to make good moves so that those gestures won’t be necessary.”

Format Advantage or Pressure Point?

Carlsen’s dominance in faster formats is well-known, but Gukesh is not new to surprises. His rapid adaptation and fearless gameplay have earned him recognition beyond classical formats. This year, he became the youngest classical world champion in history, and now he has a fresh goal: proving himself in rapid and blitz.

The format for this Grand Chess Tour leg includes nine rounds of rapid followed by 18 blitz games. It’s a grueling schedule that demands both mental sharpness and emotional control qualities both Carlsen and Gukesh will need to keep in check.

Chess World Watches the Grand Chess Tour With Renewed Energy

The rivalry between Gukesh and Carlsen has reinvigorated interest in the Grand Chess Tour. Former world champion Garry Kasparov, who previously commented on the viral Norway Chess moment, reminded players, “The moment you stop thinking about improving, it’s over.”

With top players like Fabiano Caruana, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda also in the mix, the tournament promises intense competition. But all eyes are on the developing rivalry between the chess world’s reigning legend and its youngest king.

Conclusion:

The Grand Chess Tour 2025 has kicked off with intensity, drama, and brilliance. Whether Carlsen’s sharp remarks were mind games or genuine critiques, Gukesh has already shown he’s ready to rise above the noise. As the tournament unfolds, fans can expect more strategic fireworks and possibly, a shift in who truly dominates across formats.